2019 Holy Week in Intramuros

The Intramuros Administration (IA), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT), the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Parish Church with the support of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Knights of Columbus, Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), Mapua University and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), will be staging several activities during the observance of Holy Week in Intramuros, from 14 to 21 April 2019.

Nine churches/chapels/prayer grounds will now be open to pilgrims and tourists alike during Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday, 18 to 20 April 2019.

On regular days, only the Manila Cathedral and the San Agustin Church are accessible to the public. From the previous year, there were only seven venues open during Holy Week. IA has worked out to open two more sites this year, some located inside schools or government offices.

Visita Iglesia

The churches that will be open during the Visita Iglesia include are the following:

Included in the IA program is the Penetencia around Plaza Roma and the Manila Cathedral on Holy Thursday, 18 April at 7 p.m. by the Cainta Nazareno Inc.

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross installations will be displayed at the stretch of Gen. Luna Street, from Beaterio Street to Muralla (side of PLM) from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday (April 18 to 20, 2019).

Traffic

To facilitate traffic within Intramuros, General Luna St. will be closed to all vehicles from the night of Holy Wednesday until Good Friday. There will be designated areas for public parking in various locations.

Security

Security is a priority, and the Philippine national Police – MPD, the Philippine Navy – Naval Reserve Command (NAVRESCOM) and the Philippine National Red Cross will be on-call to ensure the safety and security of devotees and tourists.

There will be two stand-by ambulances from the Red Cross in front of the Manila Cathedral at Plaza Roma and at the Red Cross Headquarters in General Luna.

Portalets will be installed all over the city and near the churches for public use. (DOT/RCAM-AOC)